The Best Beach Blanket Or Mat of 2022 – (Top 12 Picks)

Extra-large blankets often serve more than just one purpose. In this case, we’re talking about how they can be versatile items that you could use for both indoor and outdoor applications, be it as a mat or as a beach blanket.

The market has many of these products, but only a few of them are worth your money. We’ve selected twelve options that would be a good addition to your outdoor supplies, as each one of these blankets proved to be effective under different circumstances.

Best Beach Mat

If we want to find the best beach blanket, we have to know what features to consider. Let’s start from there, and then we’ll continue with the reviews.

Best Beach Blanket and Mat Reviews

We now know what makes a good beach blanket. In this section, we’ll talk about the top picks currently available for us, highlighting the blankets’ best features and pointing out their flaws.

WELLAX Sandfree Beach Blanket – Best Beach Picnic Blanket

WELLAX Sandfree Beach Blanket - Best Beach Picnic Blanket
WELLAX Sandfree Oversize Beach Blanket

Our first product is basic and simple, but straight to the point. This waterproof beach blanket features nylon as core material, and it measures 9’x10’ in total. It’s large enough for seven adults, with plenty of fabric left to keep your supplies nearby.

The blanket collapses to 4’x8’, weighing only 16 oz to make it portable. By including a sack, customers will have a proper method to carry the blanket to the beach or for other outdoor activities. With a strong and durable nylon fabric, this product is capable of withstanding abuse and regular use.

Also, the nylon parachute material makes the blanket waterproof and sand-proof. Another smaller but still noticeable advantage is how breathable the fabric is, which means that it will dry quicker than the traditional blankets.

Finally, the four built-in pockets will maintain the blanket in place in case winds are strong.

This product is easily the best sand free beach blanket, but it isn’t perfect. Against stains, the fabric doesn’t do that well, as they leave a mark after washing.

Pros
  • Extra-large blanket for seven adults
  • Sand-proof and water-resistant
  • Lightweight, anti-heat, and quick-drying fabric
  • Includes a sack for carrying the blanket
  • Incorporated pockets
Cons
  • Stains leave noticeable marks on the fabric, which are not easy to remove

Scuddles Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket

Scuddles Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket
Scuddles Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket Dual Layers


In this list, you’ll see plenty of colorful beach blankets that will quickly grab your attention. This one may not be one of those, but there’s no doubt that this blanket is among the most sophisticated you’ll find. It measures 60×60-inch, with colors like blue and yellow available.

Besides its incredible look, the build of this blanket is remarkable. It features a waterproof PEVA layer, a foam layer for extra padding, and woven acrylic for that extra soft touch. Whether you use it as a beach blanket or as a picnic mat, this product delivers excellence.

When you finish your activities at the beach, it’s pretty easy to fold the blanket. Since it comes with an integrated strap, carrying it around won’t be a hassle. At home, doing maintenance is both quick and easy due to the waterproof backing. It takes as much as shaking and wiping off the dirt.

Sadly, the blanket lacks padding. If you’re taking it with you outside, you’d have to find an even surface without rocks or similar elements that could hurt you.

Pros
  • Large blanket with a handy strap
  • Available in different sizes and colors
  • Durable and waterproof fabric
  • Easy to maintain
  • Multi-purpose
Cons
  • Lacks padding

Wekapo Sand Free Extra Large Oversized Beach Blanket

Wekapo Sand Free Extra Large Oversized Beach Blanket
Wekapo Sand Free Oversized Beach Blanket

With a 10’x9’ size, this blanket sits among the largest currently available. The colors offered are three, including purple, green, and blue. Over the beach blanket, seven adults will have plenty of room to sit and relax. Due to the 14 oz of weight, you’ll be able to carry it around easily.

This blanket doesn’t offer four metal stakes, but rather six of them. You also receive a pouch, which is good to keep every accessory properly organized. Six anchor loops aren’t necessary, but you do get to keep them as spares in case you need them later on.

The material of this blanket is 100% nylon. It manages to offer a fabric that’s resistant to water and sand-proof. If sand particles get over it, you only need to shake the beach blanket to get it clean.

While many people consider this product as the best beach mat, others would disagree. Previous customers have mentioned the lack of thickness as an issue, as they needed to use an extra towel for cushioning.

Pros
  • Extra-large blanket
  • Lightweight
  • Includes six stakes
  • Sand-proof and water-resistant
Cons
  • The thin fabric could be a problem for some customers

ZOMAKE Picnic Blanket Mat Waterproof Extra Large

ZOMAKE Picnic Blanket Mat Waterproof Extra Large
ZOMAKE Outdoor Blanket Mat Waterproof Extra Large

Two reasons to like this blanket is its sturdiness and durability. It features three layers, which are polyester, sponge, and PVC fabric for the top, middle, and bottom, respectively. Regardless of the activity you’re doing, this combination of materials will put up with anything.

Of course, the resistance of this blanket is also good against water and sand. The featured aluminum foil bottom is both waterproof and also friendly to the environment. Whether you’re at the beach or the park over damp grass, moisture won’t get to your clothes.

After packing up and getting back home, maintenance will be an easy task. It takes as much effort as simply wiping off the blanket, which removes sand particles that didn’t come off early. Once you finish washing it, this beach blanket doesn’t require much time to dry.

This product could be the best outdoor blanket, but the lack of measures to keep the wind from blowing it away could be an issue.

Pros
  • Soft and comfortable
  • 20C PEVA backing bottom is waterproof
  • Easy to wash
  • Folds quickly
  • Sturdy and durable
Cons
  • Doesn’t have stakes or anchors

Raajsee Round Tapestry Lightweight Beach Blanket

Raajsee Round Tapestry Lightweight Beach Blanket
Raajsee Round Tapestry Beach Blanket

The design of this blanket, although vastly different from everything we’ve seen so far, is one of its most interesting features. With a round tapestry build, this product is ideal for those needing a luxurious and stylish beach blanket. Other colors are also available, and they’re all breathtaking.

Unlike many other picks here, this blanket features one hundred percent cotton. The size is 70” of diameter, which is not the largest product we’ve reviewed, but it’ll fit several people simultaneously with no problem.

Since it’s more of a thin cotton sheet instead of a terry towel, there are several benefits you can expect from this product. First, it’s noticeably lightweight. Secondly, the fabric is quick-drying.

Another advantage of such an incredible design is that, once you finish using it and have no purpose for it, the blanket could work as decoration on a wall.

Undoubtedly, the blanket will look great at the beach. However, don’t expect it to keep away sand or water.

Pros
  • Gorgeous beach blanket with vibrant colors
  • Large size
  • Thin, soft, and lightweight
  • Works as decoration for walls, ceiling, and floors
  • Hand-sewn edges
Cons
  • Not resistant to water or sand

Benevolence LA Mexican Authentic Hand Woven Blanket

Benevolence LA Mexican Authentic Hand Woven Blanket
Benevolence Mexican Authentic Hand Woven Blanket

The following product is a handwoven blanket that is thick, soft, and absorbent. With a Mexican style, the fabric looks both cozy and practical, two benefits that make it a versatile blanket. You can use it for the beach, yes, but also for hiking, camping, and even yoga.

This blanket measures 65×40-inch and weighs 3 pounds. By featuring 100% recycled materials, the fabric is also eco-friendly. Besides, upon further washing, you’ll notice that everything gets better, including the softness and the absorbency.

Due to its rather natural design, the blanket isn’t as sand-proof or water-resistant as the other beach blankets. Despite that, the absorbency and quick-drying of the fiber guarantee that, even if it gets soaked, it won’t take much for the blanket to dry.

Another difference between this blanket and the rest is that this one isn’t as large. Certainly, if you’re looking for oversized units, you may want to consider other options first.

Pros
  • Good-looking beach blanket with a traditional Mexican design
  • Multiple colors for you to choose
  • Thick, soft, and absorbent
  • Quick-drying
  • Suitable for different outdoor activities
Cons
  • Doesn’t put resistance to sand or water
  • Relatively shorter size

Roebury Water Resistant Beach Blanket

Roebury Water Resistant Beach Blanket
Roebury Sand Proof Beach Blanket

Many people would argue this product is the best picnic blanket, and they’d probably be right about that. Just by looking at it, you can tell it’s a family-friendly accessory. On top of it, the whole family would fit, thanks to the 55×70-inch size.

While the blanket isn’t the most colorful, the pattern designs available, especially the Bell Flowers, look beautiful. The fabric is phthalates and BPA-free, meaning it’s safe for everyone. Also, there are no chemical smells that could cause any inconvenience.

Keeping the blanket looking fresh won’t be an issue either. The resistant inner lining removes dirt and stains quickly. It also helps that the blanket is machine washable. Since the product is lightweight and it comes with a carrying bag, taking it with you everywhere is easy.

unfortunately, the blanket is not as resistant to water. If the ground is wet, the fabric won’t keep the moisture from reaching you. Other than that, this product delivers a good performance.

Pros
  • Resistant against stains and dirt
  • Phthalates and BPA-free without odd smells
  • Comfortable cushioning
  • Foldable and lightweight
Cons
  • Not waterproof

Angemay Extra Large Outdoor & Picnic Blanket

Angemay Extra Large Outdoor & Picnic Blanket
Angemay Sand Proof Outdoor & Picnic Blanket

Intelligent would be a good word to describe this product. It’s a 60×80-inch outdoor blanket that folds into a 7×12-inch accessory with a built-in handle included for more convenience. Also, the colors are perfect, as they make the blanket look inviting and warm.

At the beach, the blanket will keep you and everyone else secure. The fabric is both waterproof and sand-proof, providing the versatility to use it for many other activities too. Another benefit from the polyester and PVC blend is that the fabric is strong for more durability, and yet quite soft.

Taking good care of this blanket will feel like a breeze. You can do it through two methods. First, you could wipe the waterproof mat with a towel to remove sand. The other way would be to do a hand wash, which may sound tedious, but it’s a quick task.

The real issue may come when you’re trying to do the folding. It isn’t as intuitive as you may think, which confuses a lot of people.

Pros
  • Large beach blanket, but compact while folded
  • Beautiful colors
  • Built-in handle
  • Waterproof and sand-proof
  • Easy to maintain
Cons
  • Folding isn’t as intuitive as you may expect

Rising Turtle Sand Proof Beach Blanket & Mat

Rising Turtle Sand Proof Beach Blanket & Mat
Rising Turtle Extra Large Beach Blanket & Mat

While looking for oversized beach blankets, you’ll find that many of them are quite large for sure, but their performance is lacking. Luckily, we have other alternatives, like this one right here. This blanket is 8’x9′, providing enough room to fit up to seven people, sometimes even more!

The material used to create this blanket is one hundred percent nylon, which wicks away sand particles that may come nearby. This fabric is lightweight, which naturally means it requires less time to dry as well. In the pouch included, you’ll be able to store the beach blanket.

With four stakes included, it’s easy to secure the blanket and keep it in one place. The anchor bags are handy as well, as they weigh the corners down. Another convenient feature is the built-in hidden pocket, which is useful to stash your most valuable accessories.

When you try it, you’ll see that this blanket isn’t the softest out there. Still, the cushioning it provides is good enough to feel comfortable.

Pros
  • Enormous size to fit seven people
  • Due to the stakes and weighted corners, the blanket stays put
  • Resistant to water and sand
  • Compact
Cons
  • Not that soft

ISOPHO Oversized Lightweight Beach Mat & Blanket

ISOPHO Oversized Lightweight Beach Mat & Blanket
ISOPHO Oversized Beach Mat & Blanket

This blanket measures 79”x83”, which is large enough to accommodate three to five adults. Due to a lightweight design, the beach blanket weighs only 0.35kg after folding it.

The colors used are orange and gray. Other options, like blue or green, are also available. With four fixed anchors included, you won’t have to worry about winds blowing your items away. Elements such as sand, or water, won’t create a mess out of your blanket either.

In fact, the level of water resistance is so high that you’d be able to use the blanket as rain shelter. Overall, the versatility of this accessory is one of the reasons why many people like it.

Although most customers don’t have issues with the blanket, some others mentioned that they had trouble when they tried to put it back in the bag. If you want to put all items inside, you may encounter some issues.

Pros
  • Large size to fit five people
  • Includes stakes to keep the blanket in place
  • Comes with a carrying bag
  • Sand-proof and water-resistant
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Putting all accessories back in the bag could be troublesome

WildHorn Outfitters Sand Escape Beach Blanket

WildHorn Outfitters Sand Escape Beach Blanket
WildHorn Outfitters Sand Free Beach Blanket

With more than five colors available and a particularly interesting anchor pocket design, this blanket is a good alternative for many people. The product itself is huge, measuring 7’x9’ with enough fabric to cover 63 square feet of the surface.

Included in the purchase, customers will receive a compressed pouch that keeps the beach blanket compact and easy to carry.

The material featured is Nylon. It makes the beach blanket feel super lightweight and resistant. There won’t be any water, sand, or tear that could undermine the good quality of this product.

As mentioned earlier, the blanket has patented built-in anchor pockets to maintain its position. There are two methods to use these pockets to your advantage: you could either stuff sand inside or use them to hold your items. In both methods, the purpose is to add weight to all corners.

A flying blanket won’t be something to trouble you, but a high temperature could ruin the day. After long exposure to sand or the sun’s heat, the fabric starts to feel too hot for comfort.

Pros
  • Oversized, compact, and lightweight.
  • Covers a large area for many adults and supplies.
  • Durable fabric.
  • Removes sand easily.
  • Corner pockets.
Cons
  • The blanket gets too hot under high temperatures.

FYLINA Lightweight Sand Free Beach Blanket

FYLINA Lightweight Sand Free Beach Blanket
FYLINA Lightweight Sand Free Beach Blanket Size

What better way to close our reviews than discussing an oversized beach blanket? It measures 7’x9’, which is already 20% larger than other blankets. Over it, six people will have enough space to sit and have a fun time. Even with a large crowd, there’s still room for your supplies.

The blanket weighs 17 oz, making it surprisingly lightweight considering its size. Also, by adding four metal stakes, you’ll be able to secure the corners to keep the wind from lifting away the beach blanket.

These metal stakes, although useful, are not resistant to bending. If you apply too much pressure over them, they’ll bend easily. Another item included is a small travel bag for storage.

Since it features Nylon, you can expect the benefits we need at the beach. The fabric is sand-free and resistant to water. Once you’re ready to go back home, cleaning this huge beach blanket is as easy as shaking it up.

Pros
  • Oversized towel to fit six people plus supplies
  • Includes metal stakes to keep the towel secure
  • Sand-free and water-resistant
  • Lightweight
  • Storage pouch included
Cons
  • The included metal stakes bend easily

How to Choose the Best Beach Blanket and Mat

A towel suitable for beach and mat applications is more than just a large piece of cloth. Here, we’ll learn about the features that make these towels as good as they can be.

Material

The material used to create the blankets is perhaps the most important feature to consider, as it’ll dictate many things, such as durability. If you want the best, you’ll go for a parachute nylon blanket. These blankets are tear-proof and waterproof, guaranteeing a long lifespan.

Alternatively, fleece is also good for these blankets. However, this material has noticeable flaws, such as it’d absorb water constantly. One way to prevent this issue would be to cover it with a waterproof base layer, which may or may not come included in the purchase.

Size

It’s alright to spend some time by ourselves at the beach. More often than not, we take plenty of supplies and friends with us. In those scenarios, a larger blanket would be the right call, as it’d provide enough space to fit more people and more stuff.

The size of the blanket will depend on your preferences, though. Fortunately, variety is something you won’t miss, as these products come at very different sizes.

Weight

Ideally, you’d want to buy lightweight equipment for outdoor activities, which includes beach blankets. Sadly, due to the high winds at the beach, a super light blanket could be troublesome if it doesn’t have proper measures to avoid going off with a small breeze.

For instance, lightweight beach blankets need to have either weighted corners or incorporated pockets.

Resistance

At the beach, you’ll encounter two common elements that mess up a traditional beach blanket very quickly: sand and water. The products reviewed here, on the other hand, are capable of keeping those issues away to give you the most fun experience.

In most cases, layered blankets feature waterproof bottom and a top layer. Some of these products go as far as featuring a middle layer for extra cushion. With those protection measures, keeping water away won’t be a problem, and getting rid of sand will be as easy as shaking up the blanket.

Easy to Care

One clear disadvantage of these blankets is that some of them aren’t easy to clean. You can’t put them in the washing machine, which leads up to manual work. If your preferred blanket isn’t machine washable, make sure to know exactly how to care for them properly.

Other Features to Consider

Although not as important, there are other features worth considering. The color and designs are nice features to keep in mind, as we often prefer bright, colorful, and eye-catching equipment for the beach.

Also, an easy-to-fold blanket could save you a lot of time and trouble, especially when you had your fun, and you’re ready to go back home.

Lastly, we mentioned it before, but a blanket with accessories to keep it from blowing away in the wind is always necessary. If you’re not sure what that means, take a look at the WELLAX Sand free Beach Blanket, which features metal stakes to secure the blanket in place.


Care and Maintenance of Beach Blanket and Mat

Even though the blankets are resistant to water and sand, we still have to do periodical maintenance to keep them at an optimum level. Here’s what you need to do.

Shake the Blanket to Remove Sand

It actually works! When you’re ready to go back home, pick up the blanket, and shake it up a bit. This small trick should be enough to get the sand off the fabric. You may not get every bit of sand out, but just enough before washing the blankets.

Hang the Blanket in the Sun

After using it, hang the blanket at an outside location where it’d receive the sunlight. The ultraviolet rays should be able to kill most of the germs that stuck to the blankets.

Wash After Three to Four Uses

Beach blankets don’t require strict washing after using them, but that doesn’t mean you can just forget about them. After three to four uses, a wash is necessary to fight off bacteria.

Cold Water Yes, Fabric Softener No

While washing, use cold water for better results, as it’d prevent shrinking, color fading, and other issues. Also, avoid fabric softener because it may harm the blankets.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a beach blanket?

A: These blankets feature materials like parachute nylon or fleece, among others. The result is a beach blanket, which is highly resistant to water and sand. When you’re at the beach, using one of these blankets guarantees a fun experience.

Q: How to keep the beach blanket from blowing away?

A: There are several methods you could try. For example, you could try a blanket with weighted corners. Another option would be to add some stakes or anchors. We’ve seen that some manufacturers include these accessories with their own blankets precisely to keep them in place.

Q: Do sand-free beach mats actually work?

A: Yes, these mats or blankets do work properly. They will keep your supplies clean and dry for as long as you stay at the beach. Once you’re ready to go back home, simply shaking the blanket would be enough to get the sand off.

Q: Are beach blankets heavy?

A: Some blankets are a bit heavy, but the majority of them are lightweight. The lightness is what causes the beach blankets to blow away with the wind if you don’t act quickly.

Q: Are beach blankets expensive?

A: The price of the blanket depends entirely on the brand. Just like you’ll find some expensive options, other alternatives may be more affordable.


Final Words

Spending some quality time at the beach is always fun until sand and water get all over your items. With a beach blanket such as those reviewed here, you won’t have to worry about these issues.